Avoiding the Summer Heat: Developing Management Strategies to Promote the Welfare of Dairy Cows During Summer (PastureWelfare)

Hakija: Helsingin yliopisto
Vastuututkija: Peter Krawczel 
MMM:n kokonaisrahoitus: 354 000 € 
Hankeaika: 1.4.2026-30.4.2029

Outdoor access for dairy cows represents a challenge and opportunity for Finnish farms. On one hand, the cows are at risk for heat stress, which negatively affects production and health. However, being able to go outside and graze is consistent with societal expectations and can provide direct welfare benefits to the cows by allowing them to engage in behaviors they are highly motivated for. Therefore, recommendations that limit the risk while promoting the use of outdoor space provide benefits for the farmer, the cows, and society. Beyond grazing, the risk for heat stress is generally increasing, which makes resources to address this valuable for all Finnish dairy farmers. As a result, our proposal aligns well with the One Health focus area as we seek to improve welfare by providing cows their species-specific needs.

We propose to: 1. Determine the effects of timing of pasture access on the welfare of lactating dairy cows; 2. Determine the effects of shade provision during parttime outdoor access on the behavior and productivity of dairy cows; 3. Understand the practices, infrastructure, and attitudes of Finnish farmers in managing the potential of heat stress and the use of grazing; and 4. Develop best management practices to mitigate heat stress for Finnish farmers.

This mix of applied research approaches will allow us to understand how farmers can increase pasture use, how cows utilize outdoor resources at various stages of lactation, what opportunities and challenges farmers see within their operations, and provide support for managing cows during summer. An outcome of our efforts will be farm-friendly materials, in Finnish and Swedish, focused on heat stress mitigation strategies. Collectively, our proposal will provide direct societal benefits by promoting the use of pasture to improve welfare, greater understanding of the risks of heat stress, and training of students.